Providing camera-based services using a portable communication device

ABSTRACT

Camera-based services are provided to a user of a portable communication device by recognizing text contained in an image. An image of an environment is captured using a camera within the portable communication device so as to obtain image data. The image data is processed such that text data is recognized and extracted from the image data. Data related to the text data is then output in a form recognizable by a user of the portable communication device. The text data can be processed on the portable communication device to obtain the data related to the text data. Alternatively, the processing is performed by a processing unit external to the portable communication device. Translated and audio versions of the text data are output to the user. One camera-based service provides price and product information related to a product described in an image captured by the camera.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and hereby claims the benefit under 35U.S.C. §119 from European Patent Application No. EP 08169713.8, filed onNov. 21, 2008, in the European Patent Office, the contents of which areincorporated herein by reference. This application is acontinuation-in-part of European Patent Application No. EP 08169713.8.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method for providing camera-basedservices to a user using a portable communication device based on textacquired with a camera of the portable communication device.

BACKGROUND

Portable communication devices are widely used in daily life by userswishing to communicate easily and independently of any fixedly installedcommunication terminals.

Nowadays, such portable communication devices offer a great number ofservices, including WAP services. In order to use a WAP service, theuser must input various data related to the WAP service. Inputting thedata is troublesome using a numeric keypad if the portable communicationdevice is, for example, a cell phone or using a small alphanumerickeypad if the portable communication device is, for example, asmartphone.

In addition, a user might want to use a plurality of services forevaluating information based on text shown in the user's environment.Such services, such as obtaining information about a product, areavailable on the Internet from providers of the product. It iscumbersome, however, to input information using the numeric keypad, andto select the required Internet address using the numeric keypad on acell phone, for example.

A method is sought for accessing services provided on the Internet froma portable communication device without requiring cumbersome data entryvia the keypad of the portable device.

SUMMARY

A method according to the present invention allows a user to input dataincluding text to a portable communication device in a simple manner andto use inputted data in a plurality of services that are provided inconnection with the portable communication device. The method accessescamera-based services using the portable communication device of a user.The method includes the steps of capturing an image, processing textdata and outputting data related to the text data.

An image of an environment is captured using a camera of the portablecommunication device of the user. Image data is obtained and processedsuch that text data is recognized and extracted from the image data. Thetext data is further processed to obtain data related to the text data.Data related to the text data is output in a form recognizable by theuser of the portable communication device.

The processing and further processing is performed either on theportable communication device or by an external processing unit. Theexternal processing unit can include a server. The text data istransmitted from the portable communication device to the externalprocessing unit and further processed by the external processing unit toform the data related to the text data. The data related to the textdata is transmitted from the external processing unit to the portablecommunication device of the user. The external processing unit includesa first server that communicates with the portable communication devicevia a communication network. In one embodiment, the external processingunit includes a second server that communicates with the first servervia a second network.

The processing and further processing is performed by the first server.The second server provides a service for processing the image data andfor further processing the text data. The first server is adapted toreceive the image data and text data from the portable communicationdevice via the first communication network and to transmit the receivedimage data and text data to the second server for processing and furtherprocessing.

The manner of processing and which server performs the processingdepends on the service selected by the user of the portablecommunication device. The first server stores accounting and billinginformation regarding the service provided by the second server. Theservice is selected from a plurality of services displayed on a displayof the mobile communication device of the user.

In one embodiment, the second server includes a database server forstoring the image data, the text data and the data related to the textdata for each captured image. The database server enables the portablecommunication device to access at least one of the image data, the textdata and the data related to the text data for the captured image inreal-time.

The first server communicates with a personal computer and accesses viathe first server data stored on the database server, including the imagedata, the text data and the data related to the text data for thecaptured image. The text data and text related data are archived byclassifying the text data and text related data by indexing keywordsthereof. An Internet service is displayed on the display of the portablecommunication device of the user using an icon or text data.

In one embodiment, the portable communication device of the user ismounted on a support with a telescopic pullout. The portablecommunication device is controlled by a separate control unit.

The camera uses actuating means to capture the image. The actuatingmeans enable the user to focus on a desired portion of the environmentand to perform automatic release in capturing the image. The image canbe rotated and unwarped before obtaining the image data. A user isinformed of the quality of the image to be captured by the manner inwhich the portable communication device vibrates, by a reticuledisplayed to the user, or by an audio feedback provided by the portablecommunication device. The camera captures a first image of a firstportion of the environment to be displayed in a transparent orsemi-transparent manner and then captures a second image of a secondportion of the environment to be displayed in a transparent orsemi-transparent manner to thereby enable the user to stitch togetherthe first and second images. The position of the user is determinedusing a position sensor of the portable communication device of theuser.

Block recognition is performed on the acquired image to enable parallelprocessing in text recognition of obtained blocks and to enhanceresponse time.

By storing the image data, the text data and the data related to thetext data on a server, the portable communication device can access theimage data, the text data and the data related to the text data inreal-time. The image data, the text data and the data related to thetext data are stored in connection with position data indicating theposition where the associated acquired image was captured.

In another embodiment, a portable communication device includes acamera, a display and means for outputting data related to text data.The camera captures an image of the user's environment. The displaydisplays a plurality of services that are selectable by the user of theportable communication device. The means for outputting outputs the datarelated to text data in a form recognizable by the user of the portablecommunication device. The portable communication device performs themethod for providing camera-based services when the user selects one ofthe plurality of services.

The portable communication device also includes worker modules, aservice module and a control module. One worker module processes theimage data such that text data is recognized and extracted from theimage data. Another worker module displays the image to be captured onthe display and performs an image analysis for detecting the orientationand distortion of text included in the image. Other worker modulesperform text recognition and convert the text data into speech forspeech output. The control module controls the worker modules and theservice module. The service module communicates with a server to requestthe performance of a service selected by the user. The worker moduleswork independently of each other. Each worker module communicates withan operating system of the portable communication device via specificinterfaces. The client application with its worker modules can beconfigured through the server without reinstalling the application onthe mobile device such that each worker group can also run on theserver.

A server includes a first interface and a second interface. The firstinterface receives image data and text data from the portablecommunication device via a first communication network. The secondinterface transmits the received image data and text data to anotherserver in a data format readable by the other server. The other serverprocesses and further processes the image data and text data. The secondinterface receives the processed and further processed data from theother server. The first interface transmits the processed and furtherprocessed data received from the other server in a data format readableby the portable communication device as data related to text data to theportable communication device.

Other embodiments and advantages are described in the detaileddescription below. This summary does not purport to define theinvention. The invention is defined by the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, where like numerals indicate like components,illustrate embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system that provides camera-basedservices to a user of a portable communication device.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method for providing camera-based services tothe user of the portable communication device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a portable communication devicemounted on a support.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the display of the portablecommunication device when an image including a text object is to becaptured.

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of the display of the portablecommunication device showing how a camera-based service is selected bythe user.

FIG. 6 is schematic diagram of another system according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the software modules of the mobileclient of FIG. 6.

FIGS. 8A-C are schematic diagrams of the physical structure of themobile client of FIG. 7, wherein figure 8A shows the left part, FIG. 8Bshows the middle part, and FIG. 8C shows the right part of the diagram.

FIG. 9 is a functional schematic diagram showing a mobile client blockand a main server.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating some exemplary functions performedaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a situation in which the present invention is usedby a tourist.

FIG. 12 illustrates a situation in which the present invention is usedto search for a product.

FIG. 13 illustrates an offline application performed using recognizedtext.

FIG. 14 illustrates an online application performed using recognizedtext.

FIG. 15 illustrates an archiving application of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to some embodiments of theinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a system that includes a portablecommunication device 1, a first network 2, an external processing unit 3and a separate control unit 4. Portable communication device 1 is amobile client, mobile phone or similar input device that has a keypad 5,a display 6, a camera and outputting means. External processing unit 3has at least one server 7 (three are shown in FIG. 1 as an example) anda second network 8. In addition, FIG. 1 shows a scene 9 with a pluralityof objects, such as a house 10 and a text object “text to be captured”11. Portable communication device 1 captures an image from the scene 9using the camera. Portable communication device 1 can be remotecontrolled by the separate control unit 4. In one embodiment, separatecontrol unit 4 is a Bluetooth-enabled wireless remote control forportable communication device 1. Portable communication device 1communicates data to and from external processing unit 3 via firstnetwork 2 as shown by the arrows between portable communication device 1and first network 2 as well as between first network 2 and externalprocessing unit 3.

External processing unit 3 includes server 7 that communicates withother servers within external processing unit 3 via second network 8 asshown by the arrows between the servers 7 and second network 8. Firstnetwork 2 and second network 8 can be the same network or can benetworks different from each other as may be required for a specificapplication. In one aspect, first network 2 is a mobile communicationnetwork, such as a GSM network, and second network 8 is acircuit-switched network or a packet-switched network. In otherembodiments, different types of networks are chosen as required by theapplication being provided to the user.

As used herein, the term “server” sometimes means “service”, in whichcase services communicate with each other via second network 8 when suchservices are provided on different servers 7, i.e. different computersor computer systems. Alternatively, “services” communicate directly witheach other when such services are provided on the same server 7, i.e.the same computer or computer system. In this case, to enable theexchange of data, an appropriate transmission protocol is used, i.e., anappropriate data structure and/or transmission mechanism.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating steps 12-18 of a method for providingcamera-based services to a user using portable communication device 1.The steps of FIG. 2 will now be described in relation to the system ofFIG. 1.

In step 12, the system determines whether or not portable communicationdevice 1 has captured an image to be processed in order to obtain imagedata. The image to be processed includes a text object, such as textobject “text to be captured” 11 shown in FIG. 1 within the scene 9.

In step 13, the system determined whether the user has selected toprocess the image data. In one example, the user of portablecommunication device 1 selects the processing of image data by selectinga predetermined processing type from among a plurality of manners ofprocessing shown on display 6 of portable communication device 1. Theprocessing types are shown as icons or text data on display 6 and areselected using keypad 5 of the portable communication device 1. If theanswer to step 13 is “NO”, indicating that no processing is selected,the flow returns to step 12. If the answer of step 13 is “YES”,indicating that a processing type is selected, the flow proceeds to step14. In step 14, the system performs the processing using the processingtype selected by the user.

In step 15, the system determined whether further processing of dataobtained by the processing of step 14 is required. If the answer to step15 is “YES”, the flow proceeds to step 16 in which the furtherprocessing is performed.

In step 17, data obtained by the processing of step 14 and/or dataobtained by the further processing of step 16 are transmitted toportable communication device 1. If the answer to step 15 is “NO”, theflow of the method proceeds directly to step 17, in which data obtainedby the processing of step 14 are transmitted to the portablecommunication device 1.

In step 18, the system again determines whether the user has selected aprocessing type for the image data. If the answer to step 18 is “YES”,the flow of the method returns to step 14. If the answer in step 18 is“NO”, the flow returns to step 12, and the system waits to capture a newimage.

In the general functional principle described above, the image data thatis captured includes a text object within scene 9, as shown in FIG. 1 bythe text object “text to be captured” 11. Such text object can becaptured in step 12 using the camera included in portable communicationdevice 1. The processing in step 14 is performed within the portablecommunication device 1 or in external processing unit 3 after image dataof the captured image is transmitted to external processing unit 3 viafirst network 2. The processing in step 14 is performed in order toobtain text data by recognizing the text within the text object, such asthe text object “text to be captured” 11.

The further processing in step 15, which is an optional feature, canthen be performed either in portable communication device 1 or inexternal processing unit 3 after transmitting the text data to externalprocessing unit 3 via first network 2. Details of such furtherprocessing are described below.

The output of data in step 17 is performed in portable communicationdevice 1 such that data either directly or indirectly relating to thetext data, i.e. relating to data obtained by processing and/or furtherprocessing of the text data, are outputted in a form recognizable (orconvertible to a recognizable form) by the user of portablecommunication device 1, such as written text, speech or the like. Theprocessing and further processing can be performed either in portablecommunication device 1 or in external processing unit 3, depending ofthe application the user is using.

The manner of capturing the image data that includes the text object isdescribed below. First, the image can be captured while portablecommunication device 1 is being held in the hand of the user of portablecommunication device 1. This is the normal manner of use.

FIG. 3 shows another manner of capturing image data. In FIG. 3, portablecommunication device 1 includes a camera 19 and is mounted on a support20. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, support 20 is a telescopic pullout thatincludes two lower rods 21, two upper rods 22, a base 23 and a fastener24. The two lower rods 21 are attached to the base 23, and the two upperrods 22 are slidably inserted into the two lower rods 21. The fastener24 is attached to the two upper rods 22 and is adapted to hold theportable communication device 1. By slidably moving the two lower rods21 in the direction shown by the inclined arrow in FIG. 3, a capturingarea of camera 19 is adjusted as is shown by the vertical and horizontalarrows in FIG. 3. Support 20 is not limited to the telescopic supportmentioned above, but may be any kind of support arrangement so long asan appropriate capturing area for capturing an image using camera 19 isachieved. While capturing images using support 20, portablecommunication device 1 can be remotely controlled by separate controlunit 4 in the same manner as described above with respect to FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of display 6 of portable communicationdevice 1 showing an image of a text object that is to be captured. Whenthe user wishes to capture an image using camera 19 of portablecommunication device 1, the user selects a capturing mode such thatdisplay 6 shows the image within the capturing area of camera 19. InFIG. 4, a specific reticule is displayed in display 6 to the user. Thisreticule enables the user of the portable communication device 1 tofocus on a desired portion of the environment. The reticule includes afirst line 25, a second line 26, and a third line 27. In one embodiment,first line 25 is a horizontal dotted line that helps the user ofportable communication device 1 to adjust camera 19 to the text objectin the environment that is to be captured. In another embodiment, firstline 25 is a solid line of a specific color, such as red. If the textobject or the text objects are not adjusted in a suitable manner,portable communication device 1 rotates the image shown in display 6 ina suitable manner such that later text recognition can be performedfaster and more reliably.

Second line 26 in FIG. 4 is an inclined continuous line that indicateshow a text object would be rotated by portable communication device 1.When the continuous line 26 has a first specific color, such as green,the system is indicating that the text object or text objects arealigned in a suitable manner and can immediately be used without anyfurther rotation. If continuous line 26 has a second specific color,such as red, the system is indicating that the text object or textobjects should be rotated by the portable communication device 1 beforebeing processed.

Third line 27 in FIG. 4 is an inclined dashed line that indicates thedistortion of the text object or objects. Third line 27 includes aprojection point 28 at one end which helps the user to capture the textobject without distortion. Projection point 28 assists the user to holdcamera 19 as upright as possible with respect to the text object objectsto be captured. If the projection point 28 is exactly in the center ofthe image shown in display 6, then camera 19 is being held exactlyupright with respect to the text object or objects to be captured.

Alternatively, in addition to or instead of the reticule displayed tothe user, suitable alignment and the resulting quality of the image tobe captured can be indicated by actuating a vibrator in portablecommunication device 1 or by providing audio feedback from portablecommunication device 1. For example, a faster vibrating or a louderaudio feedback indicates that the quality of the image to be capturedwill be poorer. The actuating means enables the user of camera 19 tofocus on the desired portion of the environment. In one embodiment, theactuating means automatically allows the image to be captured when thequality of the image to be captured is acceptable. The actuating meanscan also include a G-sensor or acceleration sensor to suitably align theimage before performing automatic release in capturing the image.

The following processing types can be performed in addition to orinstead of the above. In a first processing type, an overall image isacquired by the camera. Using a view finder, an image to be captured isselected from the acquired overall image. Thereafter, image enhancementis performed using adaptive histogram alignment, for example. To correctany error of exposure and to enhance local contrast of the image to becaptured, histogram alignment or the like is performed.

Thereafter, rotation analysis is performed. Rotation analysis caninclude digitization (binarization), differentiation and local Houghanalysis. To enhance performance, the image is rescaled to a small sizeand digitized. Using edge analysis and following local Houghtransformation, the system determines the angle at which text in theimage to be captured will be rotated as compared to a horizontal line.This can be assisted by displaying an artificial horizon that helps theuser of portable communication device 1 in achieving appropriatealignment of the camera and enhances later processing speed.

Data from the G-sensor or accelerometer are read out and indicate therelative position of camera 19. The data from the G-sensor oraccelerometer is used to generate a specific view that assists the userin appropriate alignment of camera 19 that avoids distortion if theimage to be captured includes a text object for later text recognition.

A second processing type involves segmenting the acquired image intoblocks. An image to be captured is acquired by camera 19. If the imageis captured using an auto-focus function, the image is captured afterthe auto-focus function is applied. The captured image data is thenstored for example in a JPEG data structure. Thereafter, imageenhancement such as adaptive histogram alignment is performed asdescribed above. Segmentation is then performed on continuous blocks forexample using region growing or convex Hulls. To enhance speed of latertext analysis and to speed up later read out, continuous blocks aresegmented.

Rotation analysis is then performed using, for example, digitization,differentiation or local Hough analysis. Because text recognition isdifficult using rotated texts, the rotation angle of the captured imageis verified and the captured image is inverse rotated. The systemdetermines whether the segmented block contains text that can beanalyzed. To save time in later text analysis, continuous blocks arechecked for the probability of containing text.

The order of reading out text is determined from the left upper side tothe right lower side. Adaptive digitization is performed to enable latertext recognition even if poor lighting conditions are present, such as ahard shadow. The text blocks obtained using the segmentation are thenused in the later text recognition.

Another processing type involves stitching two or more images together.A first portion of the environment to be displayed is captured in atransparent or semi-transparent manner and thereafter a second portionof the environment to be displayed is captured in a transparent orsemi-transparent manner such that the user is enabled to stitch thefirst and second images together to obtain an overall image to be usedfor further processing.

Another processing type involves unwarping the text object or textobjects to improve the quality of an image by removing any warpingeffect of a non-planar surface on which the text is written.

After the text object is selected and adjusted using the processingtypes mentioned above, the text object is then re-captured by actuatingthe capturing mode of portable communication device 1 to obtain imagedata corresponding to the text object. Block recognition can beperformed on captured image data before processing or furtherprocessing. For example, text recognition is performed to enableparallel processing of obtained blocks, wherein one block is processedand another block is prepared. By pipelining the processing, theresponse time of overall processing is reduced. After the text object isre-captured, the processing described in steps 13-18 is performed.

After image data has been captured and the processing of steps 13-18 hasbeen performed, specific services can be performed. These specificservices for processing and/or further processing are described below.Such specific services, however, are not limiting for the presentinvention but rather are intended to more fully make clear the specificfeatures shown in FIG. 1-2 by way of example.

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of display 6 of portablecommunication device 1 when a specific service is to be performed. InFIG. 5, display 6 of the portable communication device 1 shows differentservices that a user can select to perform based on an image captured asmentioned above. In FIG. 5, five items “SHOOT4TRANSLATE”, “SHOOT2DOC”,“SHOOT2MP3”, “SHOOT2PRICE” and “SHOOT2READ” are shown by way of exampleas services that can be selected by the user of portable communicationdevice 1. In addition, two additional items “SERVER” and “ABOUT” appearon display 6. The item “SERVER” enables a user to input an address of aserver, such as server 7 of external processing unit 3 shown in FIG. 1.This address is stored and used for services to be selected later by theuser when the need arises. The item “ABOUT” enables the user to obtainfurther information about the program, including all of the servicesthat can be selected by the user. The item “ABOUT” also allows the userto obtain information about licensing and the manner and amount ofpayment for each service.

In FIG. 5, the service “SHOOT2MP3” has been selected by the user asindicated by the box around the service “SHOOT3MP3”. In addition, asubitem “NO TRANSLATION” has been selected as indicated by the boxaround the subitem “NO TRANSLATION”. Although selection options forservices are shown in FIG. 5 as being displayed using text datadisplayed in display 6, service options may also be indicated in otherways. For example, an icon representing a service can be used if user ofportable communication device 1 is enabled to select an icon fromdisplay 6.

The implementation of the service “SHOOT4TRANSLATE” is described belowwith reference to FIGS. 1-2. Image data captured as described above areprocessed in mobile communication device 1 to recognize and extract textdata from the image data. Then, the text data are transmitted to server7 of external processing unit 3, such as a main server designated by theaddress or name stored during selecting the item “SERVER” beforehand.Alternatively, server 7 is a preset server, in which case the item“SERVER” can be omitted. The text data can be transmitted to server 7via a WLAN, UMTS network or the like.

Server 7, such as the main server or another service-providing serverthat receives the text data, then further processes the text data bytranslating the text data from one language into another languageselected beforehand by the user of the portable communication device 1.Data corresponding to the translated text data are then transmitted fromserver 7 to mobile communication device 1 and are either displayed ondisplay 6 or are converted to speech and read out by an internal speechsynthesizer in the portable communication device 1. The transmitted datacan also be stored on mobile communication device 1.

The service “SHOOT2DOC” is described below with reference to FIGS. 1-2.Image data captured as mentioned above are transmitted to server 7 ofexternal processing unit 3 that was designated by the address storedduring selecting the item “SERVER” beforehand. Server 7 processes theimage data to recognize and extract text data from the image data. Thetext data is analyzed by server 7 and is converted to a text file in aspecific format, such as DOC or PDF. The text file is transmitted fromserver 7 to mobile communication device 1 and is then displayed ondisplay 6 and/or stored.

The service “SHOOT2MP3” involves generating speech data in a fileformat. Image data are captured and transmitting the data to server 7,which was designated by the address stored during selecting the item“SERVER” beforehand. Server 7 processes the image data to recognize andextract text data from the image data. A speech synthesizer of server 7reads out the text data to obtain speech data in a specific format suchas MP3. The speech data are transmitted from server 7 to mobilecommunication device 1, stored and played on mobile communication device1 using an appropriate player, such as RealPlayer. Optionally, the textdata can be translated into another language by server 7 beforeobtaining the speech data.

The service “SHOOT2PRICE” involves determining the price shown on aproduct display. Image data captured as mentioned above are processed inmobile communication device 1 to recognize and extract text data fromthe image data. The text data are then transmitted to server 7, such asthe main server or another service-providing server of externalprocessing unit 3 that was designated by the address or name storedduring selecting the item “SERVER” beforehand. Alternatively, server 7is a preset server, and the item “SERVER” can be omitted.

In one example, a specific designation of a product such as “CANON EOS5D” camera has been recognized and extracted from the image data. Server7, such as the main server, analyses online offers for this product incooperation with another server 7 of external processing unit 3. Server7 then transmits data indicating the product name and the lowest pricefrom server 7 to mobile communication device 1, and this information isdisplayed on display 6. Alternatively, instead of showing the useronline offers, the user can be shown product offers available near wherethe user is located. A position sensor such as a GPS sensor integratedinto mobile communication device 1 can be used to select an offer havinga low price and being made by a seller near the position of the mobilecommunication device 1. Such position sensor can also be used with theother services described herein.

The service “SHOOT2READ” involves converting text data to synthesizedspeech directed on mobile communication device 1. Image data captured asmentioned above are processed in mobile communication device 1 torecognize and extract text data from the image data. The text data isthen directly read out by an internal speech synthesizer in mobilecommunication device 1. Thus, no interaction with external processingunit 3 and/or any server 7 thereof is necessary. Alternatively, text isdisplayed on display 6 of portable communication device 1 to therebyobtain a service “SHOOT2TEXT” (not shown in FIG. 5).

In performing the services described above, various information can bestored on server 7. The image data, the text data and the data relatedto the text data of a captured image are stored on server 7 to enableportable communication device 1 to access the image data, the text dataor related data in real-time. This allows archiving of the data at acentral site. The data is stored in association with position dataindicating the position where the captured image was captured. Thisposition information can be obtained by a GPS sensor, for example. Ifsuch data stored in connection with position data are displayed at asite where such data or the image data from which such data are derivedhave been obtained, so-called “geo-tagging” can be performed.

In addition to the specific examples of user-selectable servicesdescribed above, other services can be provided that do not require anyinteraction between portable communication device 1 and externalprocessing unit 3 or one of the servers 7. For example, theaforementioned services can be modified such that more of the processingis performed on the portable communication device 1. Furthermore, imagedata captured at one time can be used for an arbitrary number ofservices instead of the need to capture image data again beforeselecting a new service.

The system allows a user to input data to portable communication device1 in a simple manner using camera 19 instead of typing in data usingkeypad 5 and to use the inputted data in a great number of services thatare provided in connection with portable communication device 1.Portable communication device 1 can be a mobile phone, such as asmartphone, having an integrated camera as well as sufficient memorycapacity to store and execute a program having functionalities asmentioned above.

The software that performs the aforementioned functionalities isdescribed in European patent application 07122042.0, which isincorporated herein by reference. Such software is ported to theapplications as mentioned above.

Although the present invention has been described above as a method, thespecific functionalities can be performed using software executing onthe processor of a portable communication device and on a server.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a system according to the presentinvention. FIG. 6 shows a mobile client 29 that communicates with anexternal main server 30 via a communication network using TCP/IP. Thecommunication network can be a GPRS, UMTS, WLAN or other network. Mainserver 30 includes an application module 31, a deployment specification32 and an execution environment 33. Application module 31 processes textdata and/or image data received from mobile client 29. Main server 30processes the received data according to a protocol specified indeployment specification 32. Main server 30 is also connected to adatabase server 34 that stores the image data, text data and processeddata for access via the main server 30 by mobile client 29, as well asby a personal computer 35 or similar device, in real-time or for lateruse. The personal computer 35 communicates with the main server 30 viathe internet using HTTP, for example.

Main server 30 is also connected to one or more sub-servers, such as atranslation server 36 and a price check server 37. The sub-serversprovide services based on the image data, text data and data processed(pre-processed) in main server 30, for example. In one embodiment, mainserver 30 also stores accounting and billing information for serviceproviders that offer services based on the camera-based servicedescribed herein. Therefore, main server 30 is capable of countingservice usage individually for each service provider so that eachservice provider is able to offer and bill a usage based fee.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the modular software that provides thefunctionality to mobile client 29. The modular structure includes aplatform-independent control module block 38, a block 39 of workermodules, a platform-dependent optical character recognition (OCR)processing module 40, a text-to-speech (TTS) module 41, and anoperating-system-specific application programming interface (API) 42.Platform-independent means the client can be adapted and ported quicklyand easily to other mobile phone manufacturers. Blocks 38-39 form ageneric part of mobile client 29, whereas API 42 and modules 40-41 areincluded in an operating-system-specific part of mobile client 29. Thegeneric part is separated from OCR module 40, TTS module 41 and API 42of the operation-system-specific part by corresponding interfaces 43,44, and 45, respectively.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the circuitry and physical layout ofmobile client 29. FIG. 8 includes FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C, which are to bearranged left to right as shown in the key on together with FIG. 8C. Anauto shoot module 46 issues a command to shoot an image after the elapseof a predetermined time so that the user does not have to operate abutton by which the position and orientation of the camera mightunintentionally be changed. Alternatively, the user can also give theshoot command instead. The user can set the time that must elapse beforeissuance of a shoot command by auto shoot module 46.

A control module 47 receives the commands input from the user and autoshoot module 46, as well as additional commands such as “start session”and “end session”. Accordingly, control module 47 controls a pluralityof sub modules (worker modules or subsystems), such as a viewfindermodule 48 and a snapshot module 49, an image-to-text module 50 (see FIG.8B), a convert document module 51 and a speak text module 52 (see FIG.8C). Viewfinder module 48 and snapshot module 49 are connected tocontrol module 47 via a user interface 53. The additional modulesrelating to further available services for processing and furtherprocessing of image data and text data are not shown in FIG. 8. Theworker modules are part of a client application that can be configureddynamically through main server 30 without reinstalling the clientapplication on mobile client 29 such that each worker module can alsorun on main server 30 in such a manner that load balancing can berealized.

Viewfinder module 48 is responsible for showing a viewfinder when theuser directs mobile client 29 including camera 19 to an image forshooting. In one example, viewfinder module 48 shows the image with areduced resolution of 320×240 pixels, as compared to the image displayedafter shooting. Other reduced resolutions are also possible. Forassisting image acquisition, image analysis may be performed thatdetects the orientation of text in the image and displays it ascorresponding lines on a display of mobile client 29 overlapping theviewfinder image. This is called GyroviewOverlay as was described abovewith reference to FIG. 4. In order to avoid distortions of the capturedimage, such as trapezoidal distortions, information from anaccelerometer 54 or G-sensor is used to visualize the horizontalorientation of the mobile client. The feature is calledGeocenterOverlay. Snapshot module 49 freezes an image after the image iscaptured. While the image is displayed in the background, analyzed textmay be overlaid on the image. This feature is called TextOverlay.

The image-to-text module 50 shown in FIG. 8B performs optical characterrecognition (OCR) and includes a text recognition module 55, a blockanalysis module 56, a computer vision module 57, and a textpost-processing module 58. Prior to character recognition, blockanalysis for finding image areas relevant for optical characterrecognition, as well as some image processing (pre-processing) isperformed. Then, for recognition of characters, conventional OCRsoftware is used. After character recognition, the recognized text ispost-processed based on the results of the pre-processing and of theblock analysis. If a service offers document conversion but theconversion is not performed by the convert document module 51 itself,the convert document module 51 communicates with an external server suchas main server 30 to request a corresponding service such as translationand price check (price search).

The speak text module 52 shown in FIG. 4C converts text to speech. Atext-to-speech engine module 59 communicates with a TTS synthesizermodule 60, which generates audio data (PCM samples, for example) fromthe input text data. An audio streamer module 61 routes the audio datato an audio device 62 for sound output. TTS synthesizer module 60 andaudio streamer module 61 may each use or access common TTS software.

FIG. 8 also shows the control and communication connections between thesub modules (worker modules) and the application programming interface(API) of the hardware platform of mobile client 29, which includesaccelerometer 54, camera 19, a TCP/IP stack, audio device 62, and/orfurther components as needed.

FIG. 9 is a schematic functional diagram showing a mobile client block63 and main server 30. First, the user instructs the “picking up text”function 64 to pick up text by shooting an image including text. Thenthe user may instruct the system to translate text, read text or searchfor a price of a product represented by the text. When the userinstructs the system to translate text by selecting the translating textfunction 65, the translation function 66 is invoked, which in turnrequests a translation service via main server 30. After the text hasbeen translated, the reading text function 67 is invoked. The readingtext function 67, in turn, invokes the text-to-speech function 68 forconverting the translated text data into speech data. The user mayalternatively directly instruct the reading text function in case atranslation is not necessary. In this case, the text-to-speech function68 is also invoked.

The reading text function 67 also invokes the optical characterrecognition function 69 for obtaining text data from image data acquiredfrom the “picking up text” function 64.

When the user instructs the system to search for a price, the searchingfor price function 70 invokes the reading text function 67, which inturn invokes the optical character recognition function 69 to obtaintext data.

In addition, invoking the searching for price function 70 requests acorresponding service via main server 30, such as searching for thelowest price and the nearest reseller (product search). After receivingprice text information and/or product review information, for example,from main server 30, the information may be read and/or shown to theuser. The searching for lowest price and nearest reseller or salesperson may be performed based on the current location of the user, whichis provided by the GPS signal or through GSM cell triangulation.

According to the product search result, the user may also decide to buythe product if a service provider provides a “buy feature”. Main server30 records the transaction for billing the product search feature.

According to the embodiment of FIG. 9, at first it is necessary to pickup text, i.e., an image including text, and to perform OCR. The finalresult is reading of text via a speech synthesizer (TTS). Depending onthe service requested by the user, communication with main server 30 isperformed. Main server 30 is adapted to store the processed data forlater access by a personal computer, for example, via internet or othersuitable communication means. Main server 30 may store the data itselfand/or in a separate database server as mentioned above. Other functionscorresponding to other services provided by mobile client 29 itself orby or via main server 30 may be correspondingly added according to theprinciples shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 10 illustrates how some of the above-mentioned functions areperformed.

FIG. 11 shows a situation in which a tourist takes an image of a text ofa foreign language with camera 19 integrated into her mobile phone. Theuser selects the service of translation of the text and of reading thetranslated text. When the translation service is requested via mainserver 30 (or a server 7 in FIG. 1), translation into a variety of otherlanguages is possible without the necessity to provide memory andprocessing resources in the mobile phone itself. The user specificaccount information (such as IMSI) for the translation functionality isrecorded by the main server for billing.

FIG. 12 shows a situation in which an image including product data andprice information as text is taken with a camera integrated in a mobilephone. The user then requests the service of a price check and productsearch via main server 30. Main server 30 communicates with a portal fordifferent services, which in turn communicates with further servers orservice providers performing price searches, ratings, searching forsales persons in the neighborhood, etc. The result of the search istransmitted to main server 30 and then from main server 30 to the mobilephone for display, for example. Thus, it is not necessary to performbarcode scanning or to input text via the keypad. Moreover, it ispossible to integrate location-based services such as searching forsales persons in the neighborhood.

FIG. 13 illustrates a situation in which text is acquired with a cameraof a mobile communication device. After having been processed using OCRand TTS, for example, the text is read aloud to a blind, visuallyimpaired or dyslexic user of the mobile communication device. Theapplication illustrated in FIG. 13 is performed off-line.

FIG. 14 illustrates a situation in which text is taken with a camera ofa mobile phone. The image and/or text data is transmitted to the mainserver, and the main server requests a service provider to provide aservice. If the service provider does not itself provide the service,the service provider in turn requests another service provider toprovide the service, such as translation, archiving, converting to mp3format, sending a facsimile including the text data, etc. If necessary,corresponding text-related data are transmitted to the main server andfrom the main server to the mobile phone according to the requestedservice.

The system provides archiving functionality in which text informationthat is stored on main server 30 is classified by indexing keywords ofthe received text information, such that the information can becategorized by common keywords. FIG. 15 illustrates a situation in whichdocuments are scanned using a camera of a mobile phone, and are thenarchived or stored for exchange between students, for example. Thearchiving and exchange is performed via a server 7, such as main server30 or another service provider or portal for different services.

Although the present invention has been described in connection withcertain specific embodiments for instructional purposes, the presentinvention is not limited thereto. Accordingly, various modifications,adaptations, and combinations of various features of the describedembodiments can be practiced without departing from the scope of theinvention as set forth in the claims.

1. A method comprising: capturing an image of an environment using acamera within a portable communication device so as to obtain imagedata; processing the image data such that text data is recognized andextracted from the image data; and outputting data related to the textdata in a form recognizable by a user of the portable communicationdevice.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: processing thetext data to obtain the data related to the text data.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the processing of the image data is performed on theportable communication device.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein theprocessing of the image data is performed by a processing unit externalto the portable communication device.
 5. The method of claim 4, whereinthe text data is transmitted from the portable communication device tothe external processing unit, processed by the external processing unitto generate the data related to the text data, and wherein the datarelated to the text data is transmitted from the external processingunit to the portable communication device.
 6. The method of claim 4,wherein the external processing unit includes a first server thatcommunicates with the portable communication device via a firstcommunication network.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the externalprocessing unit includes a second server that communicates with thefirst server via a second communication network.
 8. The method of claim7, wherein the processing the image data is performed by the firstserver.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the second server performs theprocessing the image data.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the firstserver is adapted to receive the image data from the portablecommunication device via the first communication network and to transmitthe received image data to the second server for processing.
 11. Themethod of claim 7, wherein the first server is adapted to store billinginformation related to a service provided using the second server. 12.The method of claim 7, wherein the second server stores the image data,and wherein the portable communication device accesses the image data inreal-time from the second server.
 13. Method of one of claims 7 to 13,wherein the second server stores the text data, wherein the first servercommunicates with a personal computer, and wherein the personal computeraccesses the text data on the second server via the first server. 14.The method of claim 1, wherein the text data is archived by indexing thetext data according to keywords.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein theimage data has a quality, and wherein the quality of the image data thatwill be obtained by capturing the image is indicated to the user of theportable communication device in a manner taken from the groupconsisting of: by the manner in which the portable communication devicevibrates, by an audio feedback to the user of the portable communicationdevice, and by displaying a reticule on a display of the portablecommunication device.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the cameracaptures a first image of a first portion of the environment and asecond image of a second portion of the environment, and wherein theportable communication device stitches the first image and the secondimage together.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the image is rotatedand unwarped before the image data is obtained.
 18. The method of claim1, further comprising: performing block recognition, wherein theprocessing the image data is performed in parallel on image data withinrecognized blocks.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the image data arestored in association with position data indicating a position where theimage was captured.
 20. A portable communication device, comprising: acamera adapted to capture an image of an environment, wherein image dataobtained from the image is processed to generate text data; a displayadapted to display an indication of a service selectable by a user ofthe portable communication device; and outputting means that outputsdata related to the text data in a form recognizable by the user of theportable communication device, wherein the portable communication deviceperforms the service selected by the user.
 21. The portablecommunication device of claim 20, further comprising: a first workermodule that displays the image on the display and that detects anorientation of text included in the image; a second worker module thatperforms text recognition on the image data to generate the text data;and a third worker module that converts the text data into speech andgenerates an audio output, wherein the first, second and third workermodules work independently of one other and communicate with anoperation system of the portable communication device via dedicatedinterfaces.
 22. The portable communication device of claim 21, whereinthe first, second and third worker modules are part of a clientapplication, wherein the portable communication device communicates witha server, and wherein the first, second and third worker modules areconfigured dynamically through the server without reinstalling theclient application on the portable communication device.
 23. Theportable communication device of claim 22, wherein each of the first,second and third worker modules also runs on the server so as to achievea load balancing.
 24. The portable communication device of claim 20,further comprising: a service module that communicates with a server andrequests performance of the service selected by the user.
 25. A server,comprising: a first interface that receives text data from a portablecommunication device via a first communication network; and a secondinterface that transmits the received text data to another server in adata format readable by the other server, wherein the second interfacereceives data from the other server that is generated by processing thetext data, wherein the first interface transmits the processed datareceived from the other server to the portable communication device in adata format readable by the portable communication device.